...my point exactly, I don't have a road bike or pretend to be a roadie, I have a 2013 Specialized Crosstrail that I ride with my wife for exercise and recreation purposes, a full kit would be rather ridiculous for what we do so we don't bother with the "full fetish wear outfit". What we wear works very well for us and from what I read here, works well for others as well. For those who like the spandex look, feel free and fill your boots...

cheers!!

The OP asked whether any/some of us ride in 'cycling kit', and later clarified that to mean "cycling shorts, jersey, clipless pedals". Many said/say 'no'; some of us say 'yes'.

I find it interesting that those of us who say 'yes' mainly (there are exceptions) don't appear to feel the need to slag-off the sartorial choices of the 'no' side, but some of those who say 'no' consider themselves free to mock, directly or indirectly (as you do above), those of us on the 'yes' side.

Why is that, I wonder? Reverse snobbery? Insecurity? Shares in a 'cycling clothing that doesn't look like cycling clothing' company? Reminds me of Grant Petersen in full pot-stirring mode in Just Ride.

Oh well! For the record, "I don't have a road bike or pretend to be a roadie" either, but I also don't feel a neurotic compulsion to try not to 'look' like a roadie. I 'just ride' in what I find comfortable, as do you apparently.

The OP asked whether any/some of us ride in 'cycling kit', and later clarified that to mean "cycling shorts, jersey, clipless pedals". Many said/say 'no'; some of us say 'yes'.

I find it interesting that those of us who say 'yes' mainly (there are exceptions) don't appear to feel the need to slag-off the sartorial choices of the 'no' side, but some of those who say 'no' consider themselves free to mock, directly or indirectly (as you do above), those of us on the 'yes' side.

Why is that, I wonder? Reverse snobbery? Insecurity? Shares in a 'cycling clothing that doesn't look like cycling clothing' company? Reminds me of Grant Petersen in full pot-stirring mode in Just Ride.

Oh well! For the record, "I don't have a road bike or pretend to be a roadie" either, but I also don't feel a neurotic compulsion to try not to 'look' like a roadie. I 'just ride' in what I find comfortable, as do you apparently.

Typical mob mentality in seeking validation for one's choice. Happens all the time, "I made choice A and its the best... come on who's with me!" or "Yea I know the new one is out, but the old one is better because I have it!", I see it about cars, cameras, bikes, tools, you name it. People seek validation that they made the correct choice, the more insecure they are with their decision the more they will taunt for affirming responses.

Specifically to the kit, no I don't wear one, if I ever discover that I need to wear one I will... I simply am not there yet.

"spandex", as you call it, has little or nothing to do with looks.
Depending on the intensity and goal of your ride, it may make a huge difference.
In your case, it may not.
In other people's cases, it may.
... but don't just comically disregard it as a "look".
Some may wear pro kits for their looks, but most people in full kit know exactly why they are wearing them.
The performance difference is huge ... bigger than the type of bike even.

Why is that, I wonder? Reverse snobbery? Insecurity? Shares in a 'cycling clothing that doesn't look like cycling clothing' company? Reminds me of Grant Petersen in full pot-stirring mode in Just Ride.

I must admit, I have shares in that company. I can't explain exactly why. I'm just always like that when it comes to "not looking serious but being serious." That may be insecurity as you pointed out. If I become a competitive cyclist, what I wear won't matter anyway. If I don't, I still won't look "out of place."

FWIW, I take cycling seriously. My current goal is to be fit enough to be able to participate in the STP (Seattle to Portland) Classic next summer.

__________________The value of your life doesn't change based on the way you travel. - Dawn Schellenberg (SDOT)

Sorry, I have a hybrid (Trek 7.2 FX) and would never ride any distance over 10 miles w/o bike shorts! The "comfort factor" does matter... Normally ride 15 miles+ so always wear the bike shorts. Around the neighborhood for a shorter spin, which I do rarely, maybe not.

Sorry, I have a hybrid (Trek 7.2 FX) and would never ride any distance over 10 miles w/o bike shorts! The "comfort factor" does matter... Normally ride 15 miles+ so always wear the bike shorts. Around the neighborhood for a shorter spin, which I do rarely, maybe not.

you probably either need a saddle that fits, or to lose weight. I can ride in cutoff sweat pants with the 150 dollar saddle on my 7700 FX

you probably either need a saddle that fits, or to lose weight. I can ride in cutoff sweat pants with the 150 dollar saddle on my 7700 FX

Pretty presumptuous of you, isn't it?.... FYI, I'm 5'8", 157 lbs and my saddle is fine. First thing anyone told me when I bought my FX (LBS, friends, other cyclists, etc) was to invest in a pair of bike shorts - $$ well spent. Never said I couldn't ride in cargo shorts, etc...just said it's more comfortable to use bike shorts with padding.

For someone with over 12000 posts, I'm amazed you'd make such a statement.....

I ride a hybrid. I wear cycling jerseys for the wicking properties and the pockets on the back. I also like the bright colors for visibility, but I don't wear pro-team logo'ed stuff. I've worn bike shorts but typically wear MTB shorts because of the pockets. I've been known to wear running tights over bike shorts in cool weather, though. Typically, I wear sneakers since I don't care for SPD pedals and since I have issues with shoe fit due to a bunion. Really, I don't care what anyone else thinks when they see me riding - just like I couldn't give a $#!^ about what I see anyone else wear.

For me in NY, its just a dri fit tee, jeans and nike running shoes. I thought about putting on the whole kit but think it would look out of place, even though Ive practically upgraded my bike to flat bar road bike. People I see rocking the whole kit do look nice and are pretty fit (especially the girls!), but usually they are on like a $2K road bike and going pretty fast. Dont really think I am up to that level yet lol.

Pretty presumptuous of you, isn't it?.... FYI, I'm 5'8", 157 lbs and my saddle is fine. First thing anyone told me when I bought my FX (LBS, friends, other cyclists, etc) was to invest in a pair of bike shorts - $$ well spent. Never said I couldn't ride in cargo shorts, etc...just said it's more comfortable to use bike shorts with padding.

For someone with over 12000 posts, I'm amazed you'd make such a statement.....

bike shorts make no difference if your sit bones are on the seat properly. either that or you don't ride much

My cycling tights are comfortable when I ride. There is less friction on the nether-regions. As for why I wear long legs even in the heat of summer, I am trying to cut down on the amount of exposure to the sun I get. I taught fly fishing for many years and I have had a lot of time in the sun over the years. After surviving colon cancer (hence the tights and gel seat), I don't feel like succumbing to skin cancer. I also always wear sunglasses to hopefully prevent cataracts.

My cycling tights are comfortable when I ride. There is less friction on the nether-regions. As for why I wear long legs even in the heat of summer, I am trying to cut down on the amount of exposure to the sun I get. I taught fly fishing for many years and I have had a lot of time in the sun over the years. After surviving colon cancer (hence the tights and gel seat), I don't feel like succumbing to skin cancer. I also always wear sunglasses to hopefully prevent cataracts.

I just bought a pair of long cycling pants (Novara Headwind). I absolutely love them. I originally bought them to wear on my commute as it was getting colder and rainier here. (The Headwind are water-resistant.) As it turned out, they are so comfortable even on relatively warm days, I don't feel like going back to my baggy cycling shorts. Must have to do with the "friction" factor you mentioned.

__________________The value of your life doesn't change based on the way you travel. - Dawn Schellenberg (SDOT)

I just bought a pair of long cycling pants (Novara Headwind). I absolutely love them. I originally bought them to wear on my commute as it was getting colder and rainier here. (The Headwind are water-resistant.) As it turned out, they are so comfortable even on relatively warm days, I don't feel like going back to my baggy cycling shorts. Must have to do with the "friction" factor you mentioned.

I just bought a pair of long cycling pants (Novara Headwind). I absolutely love them. I originally bought them to wear on my commute as it was getting colder and rainier here. (The Headwind are water-resistant.) As it turned out, they are so comfortable even on relatively warm days, I don't feel like going back to my baggy cycling shorts. Must have to do with the "friction" factor you mentioned.

Do they have a chamois in them? I looked on the web site but couldn't figure that out.

I wear bike shorts and a regular tee shirt. Also have running shoes that I use(they are nice and light). I also use the pro grip straps. I don't like baggy shorts because they seem to get caught on the seat. Winter time I hook her up to the indoor trainer which really keeps you in shape for the warmer months ahead. I feel you can push harder on the trainer and not worry about having the energy to make it home, and it is nice to listen to music while on the trainer